We ensure young children get the best start in life by supporting and regulating the early childhood education and care sector. We are the largest provider of public education in Australia with responsibility for delivering high-quality public education to two-thirds of the NSW student population.

respectful relationships, for example, establish school and classroom rules and practices for respectful behaviour and communication which reflect an openness to differing attitudes, beliefs and world views

collaboration, for example, staff work collaboratively as a model to students and the community

strategies which identify and act upon any barriers to student participation in leadership, sport, music, academic, social and other school activities - developing the skills of all students to ensure representation from diverse cultural, religious and linguistic backgrounds

a range of communication strategies, including using interpreters and translations if needed, to ensure effective communication with parents and community members from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds

strategies that involve parents and community members from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds in all stages of the school planning cycle

community harmony strategies which promote positive community relations and partnerships based on mutual responsibility, trust and respect.

Culturally inclusive curriculum

A culturally inclusive curriculum reflects the cultural, linguistic and religious diversity of society. Students learn in a supportive environment free from prejudice and discrimination. Opportunities are available for students to identify as Australian and explore cultures and beliefs that may be different from their own.

build a knowledge and understanding of Australia's cultural and linguistic diversity

explore the complexities of culture and identity and the changing nature of these

explore a range of cultures and beliefs including various cultural contexts, world views and perspectives - including Aboriginal, migrant and refugee experiences

provide opportunities for investigating one’s own and others' cultures, backgrounds and circumstances but avoid calling upon students to be ‘experts' about a particular culture

explore how people of similar cultural backgrounds can express culture differently

develop students' understandings about the social nature of the production of knowledge and an appreciation of the values underlying ‘objective’ knowledge.

Selecting resources

The following criteria and key questions provide guidance for teachers when making choices about which resources to use.

Accuracy

Do the resources present accurate and contemporary information?

Do resources reflect the cultural diversity of Australian society?

Do they help students understand and respect people from cultures different from their own?

Do they make generalisations or over-simplifications which may lead to stereotyping?

Are there indications of racial bias or stereotyping?

Are appropriate or biased messages conveyed by illustrations and photographs?

Balance

Do the resources reflect a wide range of perspectives?

Do they include a cross-section of people in diverse cultural contexts both within Australia and other places?

Do the events, topics or issues presented reflect a range of historical, social and cultural perspectives?

Is there an overemphasis on differences between cultures?

Is there a focus on the exotic or extreme?

Is there an over-emphasis on problems?

Theme

Do the resources illustrate intercultural sharing and understanding?

Do they address significant and relevant contemporary issues?

Do the resources present positive images of people from diverse cultural backgrounds

Do the resources accurately reflect Australia’s Indigenous and colonial past and history of migration?

Do resources stress the equality of all Australians in a democratic society?

Do they address issues of social justice?

Are minority groups introduced in a natural way?

Do they create a feeling of pride in cultural heritage?

Do they complement other material on similar topics?

Omission/Inclusion

Is the portrayal of minority cultures tokenistic?

Are different points of view presented or is any one point of view more prominent or more favourably represented than others?

Are some cultural groups represented in limited settings or contexts?

Are significant aspects of history and culture omitted?

Where there is reference to significant cultural information, is sufficient detail included to foster inter cultural understanding or promote understandings of the complexity of one’s own and others’ cultures?

Do they provide opportunities for all students to identify with a variety of characteristics and situations?

Use of language

Is appropriate terminology used?

Does the language used reinforce stereotypes?

Does the language used in resources foster biased interpretations and views?

Engaging communities

Research shows that students have better outcomes when schools, families and the community work together to support learning. Schools and families benefit when creating strong, respectful family-school relationships and sharing responsibility for student learning.

The Multicultural Education Policy requires schools to promote positive community relations with parents from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and encourage their participation in school life.

Interpreting and translation services are available to support communication between schools and families who don't speak English well, or are deaf or speech impaired. The department has translated documents and publications for schools to use to communicate with parents and build strong family-school relationships.

Resources to support community engagement in NSW Public Schools include:

Multicultural education

NSW Department of Education

Copyright, privacy and accessibility

This information is current as at 15/09/2019 07:27pm, AEST. For the most up-to-date information, go to https://education.nsw.gov.au/our-priorities/strengthen-teaching-quality-and-school-leadership/school-leadership-strategy-at-a-glance.